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Air Fryer Crab Bites Recipe

Air Fryer Crab Bites Recipe

4.8 from 7 reviews

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Air Fryer Crab Bites are a delicious and easy appetizer packed with fresh lump crab meat and seasoned perfectly with Old Bay and lemon. Made with simple pantry ingredients and cooked quickly in the air fryer, they’re perfect for entertaining or a quick seafood snack. Serve with tangy remoulade sauce or lemon wedges for extra zest.

Ingredients

Scale

Crab Mixture

  • 1 lb lump crab meat
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • ⅛ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

Coating

  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

To Serve

  • Lemon wedges
  • Remoulade sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the mixture: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, egg, and fresh parsley. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
  2. Fold in crab and breadcrumbs: Gently fold the lump crab meat and panko breadcrumbs into the mixture, being careful not to break up the crab too much. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 20 minutes to allow it to firm up.
  3. Shape the crab bites: Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Using a mini ice cream scoop or your hands, form the crab mixture into golf ball-sized bites, ensuring they hold their shape well.
  4. Air fry: Place the crab bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes until golden and crispy. Work in batches if your air fryer basket is small. Use a spatula to carefully remove them once cooked.
  5. Serve: Serve the crab bites warm with lemon wedges and remoulade sauce for dipping, if desired. Enjoy as a tasty appetizer or snack!

Notes

  • Be gentle when folding in the lump crab meat to maintain the texture.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
  • Refrigerating the mixture helps the crab bites hold together better during cooking.
  • Remoulade sauce adds a flavorful dip but is optional based on preference.
  • These crab bites can be prepared ahead and kept refrigerated before air frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: crab bites, air fryer crab recipes, seafood appetizer, quick crab bites, easy crab snacks